Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/10/2012 23/07/2009

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

p.1

This provision is satisfactory

 The childminder develops strong bonds with the children, through using reassurance and praise, supporting their emotional well-being.  Children's individual care needs are maintained effectively, through following established routines that support children's security.  The childminder uses consistent language during activities, supporting children's development in communication well.

p.1

It is not yet good because

 Children's learning records do not yet provide enough information about how observations are used, to make clear plans to fully extend children's learning across the seven areas.  Children do not have sufficient opportunities to explore a wide range of materials, such as different textures and natural materials.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the main room used for childminding.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at regular intervals throughout the inspection, made observations and spoke to children present.

p.2

Inspection activities

 Documentation that was sampled included the learning records and some policies and procedures.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her adult child in the village of Kelbrook, near Barnoldswick in Lancashire. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The home is within walking distance of the local park, toddler group and shops.

p.2

Information about the setting

The areas used for childminding are the lounge, dining room and the kitchen on the ground floor. There is stair access to the bathroom on the first floor and an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for three children under eight years, of whom, two are in the early years age range. One child cared for is over eight years of age. The provision is open Monday to Friday. The childminder works flexible hours and has links with other early years provisions.

p.2

must:

 assess each child's progress consistently across the seven areas of learning, by observing and tracking individual children to clearly plan their next steps.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop the educational programme for expressive arts and design: by using opportunities to help children explore different textures and through exploring a range of natural materials.

p.3

who attend

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the seven areas of learning to promote improvement and children are progressing across the seven areas of learning as expected for their age and stage of development. During activities, the childminder is led by the children's choice of resources, using these opportunities to support their learning appropriately. For example, children enjoy investigating toys that make sounds. They persevere with pressing buttons and twisting dials. They show an interest in their surroundings as they explore objects, such as keys and a camera. However, children do not all have sufficient opportunities to explore a broad range of textures and natural materials, to fulfil their curiosity and to fully develop their creativity and learning through their senses. Language skills are supported consistently during activities and young children use simple words to express themselves. Overall, they are developing well in this

p.3

who attend

The childminder plans times, including outings into the community and activities to support their progress with physical skills, both indoors and outside. This assists in helping younger children with walking skills, moving around the environment freely and using climbing equipment at the park. Planned times also include children learning about diversity through trying out foods from different cultural groups and celebrating festivals, such as the Chinese New Year. Written documents show that some children are involved in building the Chinese wall from bricks and discussing different countries and lifestyles. Children frequently sing and the childminder supports counting skills appropriately during activities, pointing out numbers on the toy phone. Children have access to books and have suitable opportunities to make marks.

p.3

who attend

The childminder verbally demonstrates an appropriate knowledge of children's individual stages of development. However, this is not reflected in the written 'learning journals'. For instance, the observations do not show clearly and consistently what plans are in place to extend children's next steps in learning across the seven areas. In addition, they do not clearly show how their progression is tracked, to identify clearly any gaps in their progress. The journals do show observations and examples of parental involvement to support children's progress. Observations are plentiful and give relevant information about how children spend their time at the provision. The childminder has not yet implemented the progress check at age two years, because there are currently no children attending in this age range, but demonstrates a suitable knowledge of the importance of this check.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children feel secure within the environment, because the childminder develops strong bonds with them. She uses consistent communication and praise during activities and routines. This supports children's emotional well-being and results in them happily joining in the activities and exploring the resources in the environment. Children behave well and any minor frustrations, such as not being able to reach the toy they want, are soon resolved. This is because the childminder enables the children to achieve the task by reassuring them. This supports their confidence and self-esteem effectively. Routines that are established at home are maintained well in the provision. For example, through following children's individual feeding patterns and routines.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles through regular outdoor activities, such as going on walks and using resources to develop balancing skills on sit and ride-on toys. Children eat a range of healthy food snacks, such as porridge for breakfast and fruit. Regular visits into the local community on outings and to toddler groups, supports children's social skills and their transitions to other provisions well.

p.4

provision

The safeguarding and welfare requirements are met appropriately and children are safe within the environment inside and outdoors. The childminder has updated her provision appropriately and demonstrates a suitable attitude to ongoing continuous improvement. For example, she involves parents in the children's learning journeys and asks their views on the provision. Documentation to support children's welfare has been updated, such as the safeguarding and complaints procedures. In addition, the childminder has updated her knowledge regarding protecting children, by attending safeguarding training.

p.4

provision

The childminder is suitably aware of the learning and development requirements to support children's progress appropriately. For example, the observations of children have progressed in quantity across the areas of learning, to demonstrate what they can do. However, the systems for planning children's next steps in learning across the seven areas of learning are not yet fully developed. Children's care needs are effectively supported by the childminder and this supports their well-being. The childminder asks children if they are happy with how they spend their time at the provision. She talks to them about how they feel and if there is anything they like or dislike, enabling her to make changes if necessary.

p.4

provision

The childminder forms positive relationships with parents, sharing daily events and routines to support their children's overall development. Children benefit through continuity in care, as information regarding this and their development is shared appropriately with other early years provisions, which they also attend. This supports children's future development well.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.5

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number 307593 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 818811 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 4

p.6

Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.6

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.6

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration. Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.6

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children,

p.7

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.8

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.8